-
Continental Congress meets
-All colonies but Georgia has representatives
-voted to send a "statement of grievances" -
1,000's of Redcoats in Boston
-General Gage brings thousands of British soldiers to Boston with more on the way. -
Midnight ride of Paul Revere
-Paul Revere rides to warn the Sons of Liberty in Lexington and Concord that the "British are coming... The British are coming.."
-Accompanied by Samuel Prescott and Willaim Dawes ( the ones who actually rode until midnight) -
Battles of Lexington and Concord
-Battle of Lexington
-1st battle of American Revolutionary War
-"shot heard round the world"-Ralph Waldo Emerson
-BRITISH Victory
-Battle of Concord-
-Americans Stop British and force them to retrat back to Boston -
Capture of Fort Tinconderga
-Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen capture the fort at night
-Americans capture much needed supplies and ammunition in the fort including cannons -
Second Continental Congress meet
-Print $$$$ (money)
-Set up post office
-Created Continental Army led by George Washington
-Sent Olive Branch asking King to protect their rights
-King hires 30,000 Hessians Soldiers in response -
Battle of Bunker Hill
-Fought on Breed's Hill
-"Don't Fire until you see the whites of thier eyes"-William Prescott
-BRITISH Victory (Americans ran out of ammunition)British learn defearing Americans would NOT be easy. -
Washington arrives on outskirts of Boston with Continental troops
-Realizes men are disorganized and need to discipline
-Need weapons -
"Common Sense" published by Thomas Paine
-Pamphlet inspires more colonists to become patriots
-"EVerything that is right or reasonable pleads for separation. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, 'TIS TIME TO PART"-Thomas Paine, Common Sense -
British Surrender Boston
-Washington believes in his army is ready and weapons arrive
-Washington puts cannons on Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston
-BRITISH retreat - AMERICAN Victory -
Second Continental Congress meet again
-Debate on decalring independence from Great Britain
-Thomas Jefferson is the primary author of the document -
Second Continental Congress votes for Independence
-All 13 colonies vote YES on declaring independence -
The Declaration of Independence is signed!